TV's most shocking deaths

Published 10:46 am, Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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It was a mid-season shocker for AMC's "The Walking Dead" fans. Beth Greene -- one of the show's major characters -- (rest in) peaced out after she was shot in the head by Officer Dawn Lerner after a standoff at the hospital. less

It was a mid-season shocker for AMC's "The Walking Dead" fans. Beth Greene -- one of the show's major characters -- (rest in) peaced out after she was shot in the head by Officer Dawn Lerner after a standoff at ... more

Photo: Gene Page/AMC

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Ding dong, the King Joffrey is dead! Okay, okay, we get it: it wasn't that shocking if you read the books. But for the rest of us who prefer the story on the moving picture box, this death was out of left field (though Joffrey totally had it coming.) less

Ding dong, the King Joffrey is dead! Okay, okay, we get it: it wasn't that shocking if you read the books. But for the rest of us who prefer the story on the moving picture box, this death was out of left ... more

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'The Good Wife' shocked fans when Will Gardner was unexpectedly shot to death by an unhinged client.

'The Good Wife' shocked fans when Will Gardner was unexpectedly shot to death by an unhinged client.

'Glee' dealt with the shocking real-life death of Cory Monteith by killing his character Finn off-screen. His cause of death was never given.

'Glee' dealt with the shocking real-life death of Cory Monteith by killing his character Finn off-screen. His cause of death was never given.

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Even animated characters can die -- just ask Kenny on 'South Park.' 'The Simpsons'' next door neighbor Maude Flanders, died after being knocked off of a grandstand by a volley of t-shirts from a t-shirt gun.

Even animated characters can die -- just ask Kenny on 'South Park.' 'The Simpsons'' next door neighbor Maude Flanders, died after being knocked off of a grandstand by a volley of t-shirts from a t-shirt gun.

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A lot of people had surprising deaths on 'Lost,' but it was particularly shocking when seemingly nice guy Michael shot and killed Ana Lucia to free Ben in exchange for his kidnapped son, Walt.

A lot of people had surprising deaths on 'Lost,' but it was particularly shocking when seemingly nice guy Michael shot and killed Ana Lucia to free Ben in exchange for his kidnapped son, Walt.

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And while 'Lost' fans were reeling from Ana Lucia's death, a startled Michael turned and shot Libby, stunning viewers. Libby died of the gunshot wound in a later episode.

And while 'Lost' fans were reeling from Ana Lucia's death, a startled Michael turned and shot Libby, stunning viewers. Libby died of the gunshot wound in a later episode.

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Taraji P. Henson's Detective Carter was shot and killed on 'Person of Interest' right after she had finally kissed John Reese, leaving fans heartbroken.

Taraji P. Henson's Detective Carter was shot and killed on 'Person of Interest' right after she had finally kissed John Reese, leaving fans heartbroken.

Photo: Giovanni Rufino

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The final season of 'Fringe' leapt into the future and introduced us to Peter and Olivia's adult daughter, Etta, only to have her killed by an Observer roughly half-way through the season.

The final season of 'Fringe' leapt into the future and introduced us to Peter and Olivia's adult daughter, Etta, only to have her killed by an Observer roughly half-way through the season.

Photo: 1

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In the second season of 'The West Wing,' President Bartlett's personal secretary, Mrs. Landingham, is killed by a drunk driver while driving over to the White House to show the President her new car.

In the second season of 'The West Wing,' President Bartlett's personal secretary, Mrs. Landingham, is killed by a drunk driver while driving over to the White House to show the President her new car.

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While death is par for the course in war, it was still unexpected when Col. Blake's plane was shot down at the end of 'M.A.S.H.''s 4th season.

While death is par for the course in war, it was still unexpected when Col. Blake's plane was shot down at the end of 'M.A.S.H.''s 4th season.

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Nate Fisher had health issues throughout 'Six Feet Under's' run, but he seemed to be recovering when he suddenly died in the hospital following a brain hemorrhage.

Nate Fisher had health issues throughout 'Six Feet Under's' run, but he seemed to be recovering when he suddenly died in the hospital following a brain hemorrhage.

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Towards the end of the series run, 'Lost' began slaughtering much of its cast, drowning Jin and Sun in a sinking submarine, and blowing Sayid up as he tried to protect others from a bomb.

Towards the end of the series run, 'Lost' began slaughtering much of its cast, drowning Jin and Sun in a sinking submarine, and blowing Sayid up as he tried to protect others from a bomb.

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'Big Love's' family patriarch is shot and killed by an angry neighbor in the penultimate episode of the drama. His unexpected death ultimately brings his large polygamous family closer together.

'Big Love's' family patriarch is shot and killed by an angry neighbor in the penultimate episode of the drama. His unexpected death ultimately brings his large polygamous family closer together.

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'American Horror Story''s first season eventually killed off the entire Harmon family (with the exception of one of the twins). However, it was particularly shocking to learn that Violet had died, in part because she herself had no idea she had been a ghost for several episodes. less

'American Horror Story''s first season eventually killed off the entire Harmon family (with the exception of one of the twins). However, it was particularly shocking to learn that Violet had died, in part ... more

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Fans of 'Downton Abbey' were devastated when moments after meeting his newborn son, heir to the estate, Matthew Crawley, is in a car accident and dies. Some viewers claimed that his death, which occurred in the 'Downtown Abbey' Christmas episode, ruined the holiday for them. less

Fans of 'Downton Abbey' were devastated when moments after meeting his newborn son, heir to the estate, Matthew Crawley, is in a car accident and dies. Some viewers claimed that his death, which occurred in the ... more

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'Buffy the Vampire Slayer''s most heart-breaking moment came unexpectedly at the end of a relatively silly episode, when Buffy comes home to find her mother Joyce dead on the couch. While Joyce had been battling cancer for most of the season, she seemed to be in remission, and no one, least of all our heroine, saw her death coming. less

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer''s most heart-breaking moment came unexpectedly at the end of a relatively silly episode, when Buffy comes home to find her mother Joyce dead on the couch. While Joyce had been ... more

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On 'The Walking Dead,' it was fairly surprising when Rick killed his best friend and romantic rival, Shane, in what he thought was an act of self-defense. However, viewers were shocked when Rick's son Carl saved his father by shooting the zombified Shane moments later. less

On 'The Walking Dead,' it was fairly surprising when Rick killed his best friend and romantic rival, Shane, in what he thought was an act of self-defense. However, viewers were shocked when Rick's son Carl ... more

Photo: Gene Page

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'Roseanne''s husband Dan Connor suffers a heart attack at his daughter Darlene's wedding in the eighth season, but appears to have recovered in the ninth, only to leave Roseanne for another woman. However, in the final episode of the series, it's revealed that Dan actually died of that heart attack, and the final season had been written by Roseanne as a way to deal with his death. less

'Roseanne''s husband Dan Connor suffers a heart attack at his daughter Darlene's wedding in the eighth season, but appears to have recovered in the ninth, only to leave Roseanne for another woman. However, in ... more

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Though he was the presumed hero of 'Game of Thrones,' Ned Stark didn't even make it out of the first season alive. In an effort to keep his head, Ned falsely confesses to trying to usurp the crown. Despite this, the horrid King Joffrey decides to execute Ned in front of his daughters anyway. less

Though he was the presumed hero of 'Game of Thrones,' Ned Stark didn't even make it out of the first season alive. In an effort to keep his head, Ned falsely confesses to trying to usurp the crown. Despite ... more

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When Lane Pryce killed himself after an embezzlement scandal in the 5th season of 'Mad Men,' viewers were surprised and saddened.

When Lane Pryce killed himself after an embezzlement scandal in the 5th season of 'Mad Men,' viewers were surprised and saddened.

Stick-up man (and beloved character) Omar Little never expected that it would be a little kid who would kill him. Omar was offed in the 5th season of 'The Wire' by a youngster from a rival crew.

Stick-up man (and beloved character) Omar Little never expected that it would be a little kid who would kill him. Omar was offed in the 5th season of 'The Wire' by a youngster from a rival crew.

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'Downton Abbey' fans were outraged and left broken-hearted when Sybil, the youngest Crawley daughter, died from eclampsia shortly after giving birth to her daughter.

'Downton Abbey' fans were outraged and left broken-hearted when Sybil, the youngest Crawley daughter, died from eclampsia shortly after giving birth to her daughter.

Photo: Joss Barratt, Carnival Films

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When Dexter killed the Trinity Killer in the 4th season finale of 'Dexter,' he thought his family was finally safe. However, he returned home to find that the Trinity Killer had managed to get to his wife Rita before Dexter could kill him. less

When Dexter killed the Trinity Killer in the 4th season finale of 'Dexter,' he thought his family was finally safe. However, he returned home to find that the Trinity Killer had managed to get to his wife Rita ... more

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'Lost' teased viewers with an unopened coffin over the course of 15 long episodes before revealing that John Locke lie inside. Locke was killed by Ben moments after Ben had convinced Locke to not kill himself.

'Lost' teased viewers with an unopened coffin over the course of 15 long episodes before revealing that John Locke lie inside. Locke was killed by Ben moments after Ben had convinced Locke to not kill himself.

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After spending (almost) '24' hours trying to save her, Jack Bauer comes too late to his wife Teri's rescue and she is murdered by his former mistress, Nina.

After spending (almost) '24' hours trying to save her, Jack Bauer comes too late to his wife Teri's rescue and she is murdered by his former mistress, Nina.

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It was bad enough that she had to give birth without the benefit of an epidural in a zombie-filled prison. But then Lori's labor went poorly and she had to have an emergency c-section which she knew would kill her, leaving her dependent on her young son Carl to kill her before she turned into a walker in one of the most upsetting episodes of 'The Walking Dead.' less

It was bad enough that she had to give birth without the benefit of an epidural in a zombie-filled prison. But then Lori's labor went poorly and she had to have an emergency c-section which she knew would kill ... more

Photo: Gene Page/AMC

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'Seinfeld' took a dark turn when George Constanza's fiancée, Susan, died after licking toxic glue on her wedding invitation envelopes.

'Seinfeld' took a dark turn when George Constanza's fiancée, Susan, died after licking toxic glue on her wedding invitation envelopes.

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Moments after having a conversation about their relationship with partner Leland McKenzie, 'L.A. Law's' detested attorney, Rosalind Shays, accidentally walks into an elevator shaft and plummets to her death in one of the most memorable and unexpected exits on television. less

Moments after having a conversation about their relationship with partner Leland McKenzie, 'L.A. Law's' detested attorney, Rosalind Shays, accidentally walks into an elevator shaft and plummets to her death in ... more

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Even though Ned Starks' death taught viewers in the first season of 'Game of Thrones' that no character was ever safe, fans were still shocked and horrified when Robb Stark, his pregnant wife and his mother were all slaughtered without warning in the third season. less

Even though Ned Starks' death taught viewers in the first season of 'Game of Thrones' that no character was ever safe, fans were still shocked and horrified when Robb Stark, his pregnant wife and his mother ... more

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TV's most shocking deaths

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'The Good Wife' shocked fans with the untimely death of a major character this week. Here's a look at other TV deaths that made waves over the past few decades.

Spoiler alert: This photo gallery consists of some of the biggest, most shocking moments from television in the last 30-plus years. Consider yourself warned.

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